The PS4 was so successful for Sony that it lasted longer than many expected. The PS5 is doing well, but it’s clear that most of the PlayStation’s user base is still on older hardware, so the platform owner continues to take care of those yet to make the leap. However, at some point support will have to stop and it seems that the break will be by 2025 at the latest.
This graph shows the phasing out of PS4 software on the first page. (Image: Sony)
This image, taken from Sony’s recent investor presentation, shows how the company plans to develop its products from the front. As you can see, in the third column – representing the financial year 2025 – there is nowhere PS4 software consisting of PS5, computer and mobile phone. In other words, at some point between now and 2025, support for PS4 games on the first hand will be discontinued, with a focus on PS5.
This is a much slower transition from one console platform to another than we are used to. Usually, once new hardware is available, first-party support for the older machine drops, so this extended cross-generation period is quite unusual. Given that PS5 stocks are still struggling to meet demand, it makes sense to engage this huge PS4 installation base. God of War Ragnarok will land on both platforms, but Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Marvel’s Wolverine will be exclusive to the PS5, so Sony is slowly attracting users. It’s just slower than we all thought.
What do you think about this? Do you think Sony’s commitment to the PS4 is the right way to go or should it focus entirely on the PS5 at the moment? Tell us in the comments section below.
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